Foot Care, Socks etc

[Kamy04]

We are getting so close to our trip!

Any recommendations for socks for adults and kids (boys are 6yo size 2 shoe, 2yo size 6 shoe)?

Also what is a good foot care routine? I have read here that many use Body Glide?

Really don't want blisters! We are breaking in our shoes already

 

[amberpi]

I don't do closed toe shoes. I won't. 30+ adult WDW trips and sneakers and socks, are blistering, smelly messes for me despite super fancy custom sneaks and moisture wicking socks. I look and feel better in sandals, and have never had the issues I've had in sneakers. Sandals keep me WAY cooler and they go with my park attire a lot better...

 

[Kamy04]

We do all have Keens, except dh and he is the one I worry about the most. He is being stubborn about sandals.

 

[a742246]

I would use what you normally wear, whenever I go to Disney and try something different it usually backfires. Bring band aids just in case.

 

[Branflakes]

Sandals or comfy flip flops is what we ALWAYS wear. Tennis shoes and socks will prove difficult to deal with. Rain. Getting wet in general. Sweating. You'll find yourself without dry shoes, causing all kinds of foot drama.

 

[amberpi]

Sandals or comfy flip flops is what we ALWAYS wear. Tennis shoes and socks will prove difficult to deal with. Rain. Getting wet in general. Sweating. You'll find yourself without dry shoes, causing all kinds of foot drama.

Foot drama - yep, EVERY time in sneakers, foot drama every time, and its just after like 4 hours, but your feet get wet and even my delicious park sandals can't fix it afterwards, booze does help I want more reasons to say foot drama. FOOOOOTTTT DRAAAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAA.

 

[Branflakes]

I wear a pair of Reef flip flops or a pair of well broken in Rainbows. I never have issues. And Booze helps FOOT DRAMAAAA! Wet feet? Take a cocktail spin around Epcot or a monorail pub crawl.

 

[Spoetzl]

Checkout Hikegoo or rungoo. You also want to make sure your socks wick moister. I'm personally a fan of a sock made from merino wool

 

[Tink_83]

So I wear a pair of OluKai 'Ohana Flip-Flops that I purchased from REI, they are amazing and actually have arch support and are water proof. If you prefer sneakers then I recommend using body glide (it is used for anti-chaffing anywhere including your feet). I'd also use baby powder in the socks to help absorb moisture and then a pair of running socks or smart wool socks. I've run a 50 K (31 mi) without getting blisters using this technique and before doing this I'd get tons of blisters just walking for a day. Also buy shoes like a runner would if you do sneakers, i.e. a 1/2 size up from your regular size; that way you have room if your feet swell. Finally, I'd recommend going to a specialized running store (you should be able to get walking shoes as well) or a store like REI to be fitted. Those sales people sell shoes to people that plan to wear them all day (either to hike or run in) so they will be able to size you correctly and steer you to the correct shoe. The hiking boots I got from REI years ago are great, in part because the sales person talked to me about what I was feeling when I tried them on and examined my foot carefully, determined that I have a high arch, and steered me towards the type of arch support I need for my boots.

But if you are going when it is warm then the OluKai 'Ohana Flip-Flops or Keen sandals, etc. Those will just be better for the rain that comes but that's my opinion.

Oh and extra socks and tape for your feet if you decide on sneakers, even if it doesn't rain switching socks out helps as well! (tape is better then a band-aid; again a specialty store can assist you with picking the correct supplies)

 

[dreiwhit]

When we go to Disney, I take extra care with our feet.

We use synthetic, moisture-wicking socks. Wet cotton acts like sand paper, especially if your socks are older and pilled up on the inside. If you can't find moisture wicking socks, turn your socks inside out so that the smooth outer part is by your skin.

We also use moleskin heavily. Any places that can rub get moleskin. I also carry an extra zip loc sandwich bag with precut pieces of moleskin into the park.

I also make sure we powder our feet with talcum based baby powder (do not get corn starch.) The talc reduces the friction.

And, make sure you use good quality, well broken in shoes.

I will also periodically ask my wife and kids how their feet are doing. I want to treat the hot spots before they turn into blisters.

Disney is rough on feet. Take all the precautions you can take to make your trip a success!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I will also periodically ask my wife and kids how their feet are doing. I want to treat the hot spots before they turn into blisters.

THIS! It is so easy in all of the excitement of Disney to not notice a blossoming blister until it's much too late. Checking in with your family helps tremendously!!!

 

[WDWFan06]

I am a runner and I only wear Balega Socks because they are so comfortable. They come in adults and kids sizes. https://www.balega.com/

 

[LizGirl]

We always wear whatever athletic shoe we currently have broken in. My feet are the most high maintenance of our family so I have to take the most care. I wear wicking socks, just whatever I happened to grab at Costco! The most important thing for me is moleskin. I know where I will blister so I apply it before we leave the room. I also carry a roll of it and small scissors so I can cut what I need. The scissors follow TSA guidelines and are, apparently, Disney security friendly. On my last visit, they saw them and said they were okay if I keep them in my bag - not sure what that means since criminals don't follow directions! The blades are about 1.5" long and blunt on the tip.

I tell my kids to tell me if they get a hot spot on their feet. My description of "it feels like a match on your skin" must have worked - my 7 year old averted a nasty blister at the zoo!

If you are really worried about it, I would suggest a "dry run" in your home town. Take a full day trip to a zoo or some other venue that has you on your feet all day. That should help root out any issues and give you time to (A) heal and (B) take corrective action.

 

[Ben Pieper]

Sandals or comfy flip flops is what we ALWAYS wear. Tennis shoes and socks will prove difficult to deal with. Rain. Getting wet in general. Sweating. You'll find yourself without dry shoes, causing all kinds of foot drama.

This. Hell, even at home, if it's above 65 degrees, I don't bother with anything but flip flops unless I'm going to work. At Disney, it's a no brainer. Also not having to pack/keep track of socks for anybody is great. Those tiny kids socks get lost easily.

 

[minnie1012]

I have socks that are breathable for everyone. I haven't tried Body Glide but I heard it's very good. I use the Band Aid blister block stick. I try to switch shoes if we go back to the room. I also bring a peppermint foot cream or leg cooling gel. I used to get if from the Body Shop but they closed by me so I have to look for something else.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Moleskin, moleskin, moleskin! We precut pieces about 2"x2" at home and when on property head off blisters at the pass by wrapping each of our toes and one on the back of the heel. I wear my broken-in sneakers, my sister swears by flip-flops.

 

[maux]

I wear my Asics sneakers (best sneakers ever IMHO) and always use Body Glide on my feet. Haven't had a blister since before I started using it. I also use a Band Aid Blister Block on my baby toes as I have weird feet. I also put peppermint lotion on my feet at night, takes the soreness out. Plus if I've walked a lot that day, I will soak them in the tub.

 

[arminnie]

It all depends on YOUR feet. I have narrow feet so I love thicker Smartwool socks with sneakers. They are much better than cotton, give me some cushion and help fill my shoe so it doesn't wiggle. My DH can't stand thick socks even the Smartwool. He hates sandals.

I liked Teva Mush flipflops for years and could walk in them for miles - but now they just don't work for me. I need a sandal with adjustable straps - like Teva Verra.

I am lucky in that I can wear sandals when it is hot, but am okay with closed toe sneakers when it is not. The Chaco sandals work for me as do the Tevas, but the Merrell's do not. Although the closed toe Merrell's do work for me.

There's no easy answer.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We wear tennis shoes. We used to get terrible blisters on every single trip. We started greasing our feet up, and we have not had any blister problems since. Worked like a charm for us.

 

[Euby]

I wear Crocs to the parks. My feet don't get all sweaty or hurt at the end of the day. Like a previous poster said, it's about what works for you.

By the way, if you do wear sandals or Crocs, be sure to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet.